Unemployment claims fall again as Montana ends more closures

By MATTHEW BROWN Associated PressBILLINGS, Mont. (AP) — New unemployment claim numbers in Montana dropped again last week after more coronavirus restrictions were eased and many restaurants, bars and other establishments re-opened.

But uncertainty still looms over the state's economy as summer tourism season approaches.

Montana processed more than 3,400 new unemployment claims for the week ending May 9.

That's down 25% from the previous week but is almost 500% higher than the same period in 2019.

The next wave of commercial re-openings arrives Friday.

Movie theaters, museums and gyms will be able to resume business under restrictions.

The state reported no new cases of COVID-19 Thursday, bringing the total to date to 462 confirmed cases.